Iconic Roebling Suspension Bridge gets 21st Century makeover

When
the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge reopened Nov. 5 after eight
months of repainting and revitalization, people in attendance likely
marveled at the massive stone towers and spider's web of freshly
painted blue cables that support the 1,057-foot span. They might have
cringed as they walked across the open grate of the bridge's two-lane
roadway or shot photos mid-river from the flanking walkways that
allow pedestrians to cross the river.

Few,
by contrast, might have noticed the oblong lights, encased in
protective grillwork, that trace the curving diagonal cables that
give the bridge its profile.

But
these lights — the bridge's "necklace," according to its
fans — and the flags atop the towers are the most visible signs of
a volunteer effort that stretches back 35 years and has been
instrumental in keeping the Roebling Bridge fit to be a symbol of the
Cincinnati region.

The
Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee (CCSBC) formed in
1975 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the bridge's
preservation and enhancement. At the time, the main focus simply was
to fly the national and state flags on the bridge’s towers. Changes
to the corporate charter in 1984, however, set out to do more for the
bridge’s visibility.

The
amendments included the “installation, maintenance and continued
operation of the bridge beautification lighting,” according to the
group’s Web site. And more than 25 years later, the CCSBC still
raises the funds necessary to keep the Roebling's necklace glowing
through the night.

"It
was pretty much a committee of passionate people who wanted to do
something," says Nancy Wood, a CCSBC committee member and
spokesperson for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's District 6.

"It's
about keeping a national historic landmark glorified and beautiful
for generations," Wood says.

Urbanites
across the county love their cities' bridges, but Wood has some facts
to back up her enthusiasm. The Roebling Bridge, named after its
designer, was used as a working prototype for technology that was
being considered for the soon-to-be-built Brooklyn Bridge in New
York. Its combination of vertical and diagonal suspension cables was
a first, and it was the longest bridge in the world when it opened in
1866.

Roebling
died before the Brooklyn Bridge was complete, but both it and its
smaller Queen City forebear show the signature sweeping design for
which he's best remembered.

The
CCSBC first funded and installed the Roebling Bridge's decorative
lighting — the "necklace" and lights illuminating the
stone piers — in the mid-1980s. Thanks to a number of long-term
investments and steady fundraising, the group has been able to
maintain the lights entirely through donations, Wood says.

When
Kentucky decided to close the bridge for painting and basic repairs,
the CCSBC saw an opportunity to upgrade the lights under their
charge. The committee raised a total of $185,000 before and during
the construction to pay for new "necklace" lights, and
electrical subcontractor Ion Apex was hired to install them.

Unlike
the old lights, which used incandescent bulbs that had limited life
spans, the new lights incorporate more efficient, durable technology.
By using bulbs that operate like fluorescent lights, the new
"necklace" has a much lower power draw and needs less
maintenance to keep fully lit. Also, the new lights are significantly
larger than the ones they replace and were installed using bolt-on
clamps that did not require drilling or welding on the bridge's
historic structure.

The
group has further plans for the Roebling Bridge, namely its massive
stone piers. The committee plans to install new pier lighting and
hopes to complete the project by the next Roebling Fest in June 2011.
That effort depends on the success of the CCSBC's current "Bringing
History to Light" campaign.

The
group hopes to raise a total of $350,000 to fund the entire lighting
renovation, Wood says. Thanks to support from many of the city's
larger companies, as well as a strong flow of individual
contributions, she's optimistic they'll be able to flip the switch on
the new pier lights by spring.

And
when they do, she suspects photographers, local convention and
visitors' bureaus and plenty of city residents will pay attention to
the Roebling — not that they ever stopped.

"If
Cincinnati ever gets any national attention, (the news coverage)
always has the Roebling Bridge in the background,” Wood says. “It's
a national icon, and we're very lucky to have it here."